Applying artificial intelligence to an electrocardiogram can help identify asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction, a precursor to heart failure, a study published in Nature Medicine found.  By Megan Knowles - 1/8/19

In December, the California Department of Public Health collectively issued $374,975 in fines to seven California hospitals for licensing compliance issues that caused or were likely to cause patient harm or death.  By Megan Knowles - 1/8/19

A study published in the American Journal of Nursing examined nurses' use of double gloves and nonabsorbent gowns when handling or administering antineoplastic drugs, which are known or probable human carcinogens.  By Anuja Vaidya - 1/8/19

Patients who received early intervention with an infectious disease physician experienced lower mortality rates and shorter lengths of stay, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.  By Anuja Vaidya - 1/8/19

The Democratic Republic of Congo's health ministry on Jan. 7 confirmed 16 new Ebola cases, which brings the outbreak total to 625, according to an update from the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy in Minneapolis.    By Mackenzie Bean - 1/8/19

A federal policy implemented in 2016 to screen donated blood for Zika virus was not cost-effective, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.  By Mackenzie Bean - 1/8/19

The FDA should impose stronger regulations on the use of medically important antibiotics outside of healthcare to help prevent resistance, Matthew Wellington, antibiotics program director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, wrote in a letter to the editor published by The Washington Post.  By Mackenzie Bean - 1/8/19

Severe Clostridium difficile infections may be linked to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are commonly used to relieve pain, according to a study published in mBio.  By Megan Knowles - 1/8/19

Hospitalized patients vaccinated for the flu did not have an increased risk of outpatient visits or hospital readmission within seven days of discharge, a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found.  By Megan Knowles - 1/8/19

Instead of blaming hospital officials for the recent bacterial outbreak and infection control deficiencies discovered at Newark, N.J.-based University Hospital, state politicians "need to roll up their sleeves and get involved," Annette Catino, a former member of the hospital's board of directors, wrote in an op-ed for nj.com.  By Mackenzie Bean - 1/7/19

A team led by researchers at the nonprofit research center Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., have created the first successful human-animal hybrid, according to National Geographic.  By Jessica Kim Cohen - 1/7/19

A new blood test used during OB-GYN visits may detect a baby's risk of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities as early as 10 weeks, according to The Washington Post.  By Megan Knowles - 1/7/19

  Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital became the first VA hospital to complete the "Hospital of the Future" project — an initiative that aims to improve veteran care, the Columbia Missourian reports.  By Megan Knowles - 1/7/19

Outpatients visits for flu-like symptoms increased by 92 percent in Ohio Jan 4., according to the Dayton Daily News.  By Harrison Cook - 1/7/19

Several New Jersey hospitals have implemented visitor restrictors amid reports of high flu activity, The Press Atlantic City reports.  By Harrison Cook - 1/7/19

The nasal spray flu vaccination FluMist appeared to be less effective at preventing the flu in children than the traditional shot, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics and reported by CNN.  By Julie Spitzer - 1/7/19

A study published in JAMA Network Open examined the use of antibiotics among patients undergoing common urological procedures.  By Anuja Vaidya - 1/7/19

Researchers at Washington, D.C.-based Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, in collaboration with researchers at the Université de Lorraine in France, the Qatar Foundation and the World Innovation Summit for Health, created the Checklist for Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programming.  By Anuja Vaidya - 1/7/19

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America is calling for a renewed commitment to coordinating international response efforts for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  By Mackenzie Bean - 1/7/19

For patients with heart failure, the flu is linked to higher in-hospital morbidity and mortality, a study published in JACC: Heart Failure found.  By Megan Knowles - 1/7/19